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AZ GOP Senate Candidate Wil Cardon Launches Immigrant-Bashing Ad

by Mahwish Khan on 04/11/2012 at 10:36am

The immigrant-bashers in Arizona just can’t help themselves. Despite all the negative fallout from S.B. 1070, including the recall of the bill’s sponsor, State Senator Russell Pearce, the immigrant-bashers just can’t stop. The latest flareup comes from a GOP Senate candidate, Wil Cardon, who has launched a negative ad using immigrants to attack his primary opponent, Rep. Jeff Flake.

The ad also notes Cardon’s opposition to “amnesty for illegal immigrants” and to allowing children brought into the country illegally to qualify for in-state tuition.

Touting S.B. 1070 might work with the hard-core anti-immigrant zealots in the GOP primary, which is scheduled for September 11th, but that law has been a disaster for Arizona’s image.

Cardon has also launched an negative website: AmnestyFlake.com, which states “Jeff Flake: Washington’s Poster Boy for a Pro-Amnesty Liberal Immigration Policy.” Not exactly. Not even close. But, in the zeal to be the most anti-immigrant, facts don’t matter. Nor does the potential for alienating the fastest growing voting demographic in the nation. And, the Latino vote in Arizona can be decisive. According to Time Magazine, “In Arizona, 29.6% of the population claim Latino roots, a group that could prove crucial in the 2012 general election.” But, Cardon, who trails Flake by 50 points, is doubling down.

Looks like it’s going to be a long, hot summer of ugly politics in Arizona.

Jeff Flake has had a balanced view of strong border security paired with fair and reasonable immigration reform. It is hard for either side to honestly demonize him, yet they will try. I think he’ll win.

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